Heating system valve



May 26, 1942.

l1. sjKEllM Erm. 2,284,059 v HEATING SYSTEM VALVE Filed Sept. 14, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet'l I WW '04W May 26, 1942. H. s. KEHM Erm.r 2,284,059

' HEATING SYSTEM VALVE Filed Sept. 14, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedMay 26, 1942 UNITED LSTATES PATENT oFFlcEA HEATING SYSTEM VALVE HoraceS. Kehm and Courtland G. Newton, Chicago, Ill.;`saldlNewton asslgnor tosaid Kehm Application September 14, 1940, Serial No. 356,760

14 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to a heating system and isparticularly concerned with improvements in heating systems of the typewherein forced now circulation of hot water is utilized for thetransference of heat energy from a boiler to remotely located radiatingmeans, and `further contemplates novel means for improving theeiiiciency and operation of such systems. The presentinventionconstitutes a. continuation-impart of our copending applicationSerial No. 275,044, now Patent No. 2,246,802, granted June 24, 1941.

In the Horace S. Kehm Patent No. 2,020,064, a heating system isillustrated and described, wherein heated water is circulated underpressure from a boiler through a single pipe main in the form of a loopto which a plurality of radiators are connected by supply and returnrisers respectively. At each radiator, the main constitutes a shunt orby-pass for the radiator, and the fittings by which the supply andreturn risers are connected to the main are so arranged that stratifiedow of the Water results in the main.

More specifically, during ow of 'Water in the main between theradiators, the hot water bypassing a radiator will be delivered at theradiator return connection to the top portion of the main, and thesomewhat cooled water returning from the radiator will be delivered tothe bottom portion of the main. At the supply risers of the radiators,the connection fittings are arranged to take water from the upperportion of the main, the Water at the lower portion of the main flowingthrough the radiator by-passes.

The system described in the aforementioned patent is very suitable andefcient in operation when utilized in relatively large heating systemsin which the main loop is of relatively large diameter pipe. In smallsystems, however, such as would be installed in a small home and wouldusually contain eight or less radiators, the economical size of the mainloop becomes so small that the advantages resulting from stratified flowof the water are lost-or reduced to such an extent that thestratification of the water becomes impraeticable.

Having in mind the unapplicability of a stratied system of flow foreconomic low cost installation of small heating systems, the presentinvention contemplates an improved connection tting wherein efficientheating may be secured in a small single main loop heating system having"aucomparatively few radiators and a main line of relatively smalldiameter.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcomiection fitting for a heating system which enables all the radiatorsto be furnished of the same standard size irrespective of the sizes ofthe rooms in which they may be installed, thus eliminating the cost ofskilled engineering service for calculating and determining the variousradiator sizes to meet different installation conditions.

Another object of the herein described invention is to provide animproved connection fitting for single loop heating systems which willenable the amounts of flow of heating uid through the radiators to besuccessively graduated and increased as the temperature of the heateduid is successively decreased by ow through the radiators.

Still another object is to provide an improved fitting that may beutilized in a looped main heating system to provide ow choking means ateach radiator for controlling ilow therethrough, and which is arrangedto open whenever the fluid pressure in the main exceeds a predeterminedamount.

Yet another object of theinvention is to provide an improved fitting forconnecting a radiator into the main of a loop type heating system, thisltting` embodying an adjustable spring biased baille means for chokingow through the tting but operating upon..l predetermined increase ofpressure in the heating system to move to ineffective position and thusrelieve the system pressure and permit circulation through the system.

v In accordance with the general features of the herein describedinvention, it is proposed to provide. a novel connection fittingespecially adapted for use in heating systems employing a single pipemain in the form of ,a loop to which the radiators are connected bysupply and return risers. This loop is connected to a suitable furnaceor device for heating the fluid, and the heated fluid is circulatedunder pressure by means of a suitable circulating pump. Either thesupply or return risers of the radiators are connected into the mainloop by means of the usual T-pipe tting, and the radiators provided withthe usual throttling valve. The risers of the respective radiatorsywhich are not connected by the usual T-pipe fitting are each connectedto the main by means of a special T-tting.

This special fitting, -which is. more fully described subsequently, isarranged with an ad- ,instable baille which serves as` a choke orretarder for the water in the main which is bypassed around each'radiator. These bames are arranged with adjusting means 4exteriorly ofthe ntting body so that the baille may be adjusted to provide .more orless choking or retarding enect as desired.

Since the conditioned fluid in this type .of system is successivelysliunted through the radiators from the main loop the successive bafflesor retarders may be successively closed by greater amounts so that asthe conditioned -iluid is gradually cooled by passing, throughradiators, the subsequent radiators will pass more iiuid so that theheating capacity .of all the radiators will be 4substantially equaiized.Since-the last radiator of the series will have its baille almost fullyclosed. it will be apparent that if'this radiator should be shut ofi.'vby its throttling valve, circulation through the preceding radiatorswould be seriously eiIected and pressure would build up ahead of thelast baille.

As an 'additional feature, this bailleis arranged to be normally biasedby a spring, so that when the pressure builds up ahead of it, the baillewill be opened independently ofits adjusted posi- I tion and relieve thepressure so that the circulait will be noted that the main line ateachradiaq tor in its portion lying between the ttings Il and 2l or 28'forms a shunt iiow circuit past the radiator.

In general, the fittings 28 or 20 are so arranged as to retard or chokethe now of iluid through the associated shunting portions of the mainline, and this choking characteristic is made adjustable so that theamount of iiuid forced through they associated radiator may be adjusted.Although the ilttings 28 are herein shown as being 'connected yinthesupply riser, it will be understood that these ilttings may be .lustas well connected in the return riser as shown in the aforementionedcopending applimain line connection openings 22 and 23, and

tion through the system may be continued eiii- 'y cientl Othser objectsand features of the invention willI morereadily appear from thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings which illustrate several embodiments thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating a single main loop heating system towhich the present invention has been applied;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through one form of nttingconstruction embodying the present invention:

Figure 3 is a section through the same taken substantially on lineIII-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectionl taken substantially on line IV--IV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an exterior view in elevation of a different form of fittingconstruction:

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section taken through the same to show itsinternal construction; and

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken through the ilttingsubstantially on line VII-VII of Figure 5. 1

As shown on the drawings:

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention there is shown inFigure 1 a boiler ill, which is connected at its outlet to one end of asingle pipe main loop Il and its inlet to the other-end of the mainloop. Interposed in the main loop is a suitable circulating pump I2 bymeans of which conditioned tluid may be circulated through the system,in this instance water which has been heated in the boiler.

A pluralityl of heat exchange devices, in this instance radiators asshown at I3, I4, and I5, are successively connected to the main lineby-means of supply and return risers I8 and i1. Itwill be noted thatconnection of the return riser is made to the main line by means of anordinary T-iltting as shown at i8 and that each 4radiator at itsconnection with the supply riser is provided with a suitable control orthrottling valve i8 by means of which the circulation of conditioned uidthrough the radiator may be manually controlled. l

Each supply riser I8 is connected with the main line by means of aT-iitting l2li or 2l having a construction which will be subsequentlydescribed in detail. In the disclosed arrangement,

also a branch connection opening 24, which may lbe angularly disposedwith reference to the main line of the plug 28 and the branch opening24.

A38 further define an intermediate chambered portion Il, which is incommunication through the opening 28 with the main line connectionopening 22. The inserts 38 and 38 are'maintained in proper spaced-apartrelation by means of a, pin member 3l, which extends through and isrigidly secured to the respective inserts and has one end anchored inthe plug 28.

The inserts 28 and I8 are respectively provided with segmental openingsI8 and 48, which are relatively in diametric opposed relation, theseopenings providing small passages from the chamber 21 to the mainconnection opening 23 and the branch opening '24.

Means are provided for simultaneously controlling the size ofthe smallpassages through thelj' openings 38 and 48 in such a manner thatffasjVone of the passages is constricted, the otheris opened up. For suchpurpose, there is associated with the inserts segmental plate members 4|Yand 42, which are carried by a rotatable shaft43 having bearingsupports in the inserts and the plug 28. One end of this shaft extendsthrough the plug to the exterior of the iltting 'and isv sealed againstleakage along the shaft by a v line connection openingsv 53 and 54 andalso a suitable packing or gasket 44. The exteriorly of the members 4Iand 42 in such a manner as` to prevent relative rotating movementofthese members on the shaft, but permit longitudinal shifting of themembersalong the shaft and tilting thereof.

I'he member 4i is retained in pressure engagement with its associatedinsert by means of a coiled spring 48, which surrounds the shaft and hasone end abutting the member 4I and its other end abutting the insert 36.Likewise, the member 42 is urged into engagement with the associatedside of, insert 36 by means of a coiled spring 49 surrounding the shaftand having one end bearing against the member 42 and its other endbearing against the packing 44. It will be noted that the spring 48is'relatively lheavier than the spring 49. The spring 49 is soproportioned that during normal operation of the heating system in whichthis fitting may be installed, the member 42 is partially closed orregulating position over the opening 46 will be maintained against theassociated insert. On the other hand, if at any time the pressure Withinthe chamber 31 should increase above a predetermined amount, thispressure will act on the member 42 and force it into a tilted position,as shown in Figure 2, whereby its choking eiect will be reduced and freeflow of fluid through the opening 46 permitted.

In addition to maintaining the inserts 35 and 36 in spaced relation andpreventing their rotation when the shaft 43 is rotated, the pin 38 alsoforms a stop for limiting rotative move.

ment of the members 4I `and 42 at their fully opened and fully closedpositions in relation to the openings 39 and 40.

The construction previously described permits ready and easy inspectionof the internal parts of the fitting, since the plug 26, shaft 43, andthe associated inserts and members 4| and 42 maybe removed as a unitwith the plug 26 from the fitting body.

' L1 the system shown in lFigure 1, the radiators are disposed above themalin loop of the heating system. In some installations it may bedesirable to have the radiators connected below the loop, in which casethe fittings just described would be disposed in inverted position.

Under certain circumstances there might be a tendency for an air pocketto form in the then upwardly disposed portion of chamber 3l. To preventthe formation of such a pocket, the wall 28 may be provided with a smallbleeder passage 58. y

The fitting 20', as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, comprises a T-shapedbody structure 5I, this body being constructed of any suitable materialsuch Aas wrought iron, brass, and the like. The body structure definesan interior chamber 52 of substantially rectangular cross section. This'chamber communicates with a pair of main branch connection opening 55which may be angularly disposed with reference to the main lineconnection openings. These openings, if desired, may be internally.threaded for pipe connection.v

Within the chamber 52 there is disposed adjacent the main opening,whichwill be utilized for the inlet of uid to the iitting, a bailleplate 5'6 having its uppermost edge margin provided with a barrelportion 51. The barrel 51 is rotatably mounted upon a. transverselyextending shaft-or pivot pin 58 supported in the body structure forrotative movement, one end of this pin being disposed in a projectingportion 59 of the housing, and the other end being extended through anintegrally formed tubular boss 68 on the opposite side of the bodystructure.

Intermediate its ends, the boss 68 is provided" with an internalshoulder 6I which forms an abutment seat for a washer 62 surrounding theshaft and 'serving to maintain it at the axis of the tubular boss. Theouter end of the boss is threaded for threadedly receiving a cap member63 which cooperates with the washer 62 in maintaining a suitable packing64 compressed around the associated end of the pivot member 58 and thusprevent leakage of fluid from the tting body along the pivot member.

TheQ end of the pivot ,member which projects through the cap 63 isprovided with a crankA handle 65 by means of which the pivot member 58may be rotated from the exterior of the litting body.

Arrangement is made for maintaining the crank handle in any position ofadjustment by providing a detent spring 66 having one end secured to thehandle, and its other overlying and riding upon a curved rack 61 on thefitting body. This rack may be formed as a separate element and securedto the body or, if preferred, may be integrally formed on the bodyduring its construction.

As shown in Figure '1, the` right hand end of the barrel 51 is providedwith a semi-circumferential end slot 68 in-which there is disposed a pin69 projecting from this end of the pivot member. i

At the left end of the barrel 51, between this end of the barrel and thewasher 62, there is provided a coil spring 18 which surrounds the pivotmember. One end of this spring is anchored as at 1| to the shaft, whilethe other end of this spring is deectedl so as to extend over andresiliently engage the innermost surface of the baille 56 and normallymove it in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 6, until thismovement is stopped by the, abutment of pin l69 against one end of theend slot 68.

With the foregoing construction, it will be apparent thatf the bailleplate 56 may be swung by means of the handle 65 to a position as shownin full lines in Figure 6, wherein it fully closes the opening 53 of thefitting and engages an abutment stop projection 12 at the bottom of thefitting, or the plate may be moved through an opening direction withreference to the opening 53 to a limiting position, as shown in dottedlines, in which the branch opening 55 will be fully closed ox' cut offfrom the chamber 52 within the fitting.

During the adjusting movement, the spring 16 is carried along with therotationahmove'ment of the pivot pin 58. However, if pressure is'applied against the outer surface of the baffi-e plate 58, the bailleplate may be independently swung on the pivot 5l against the pressure ofspring 1l, and thus automatically act as a relief valve with referenceto the inlet opening 53.

Since the fittings 20 and 20' are. in each case, all similarlyconstructed, they may be indiscriminately utilized'for connecting therisers from the radiators to the main linevwithout consideration as towhether theradiator is the rst radiator of the system or one of thesubsequent radiators`- In utilizing our improved fittings in a heatingsystem as shown in Figure 1, it will be, appreelated that the ilowsthrough the successive radiators may be graduated and proportioned byadjustment ofthe respective fittings. 'Ihat is, the fitting for theradiator I3 may be adjusted to substantially opened position, thettingassociated with the radiator il to a somewhat further closed position,and the last iltting to an almost fully closed position with reference'to lthe main line of the system. Thus. as the conimproved ttingparticularly adapted for use witl a heating or cooling system ofthe-single main loop type: which is particularly adapted for economicinstallation where low cost is a factor as in small systems for homesand the 1ike;"which enames the installation or radiators o: the sameditioned fluid or heated water in this instance .is circulated throughthe main line, the respective fittings operate to successively causemore duid to be circulated through the associated radiators as theconditioned fluid becomes cooled.

Due to the fact that I'the fitting associated with the last radiator ofthe system-in this case the radiator IS-is almost fully closed, it willbecome apparent that should this radiator be shut on. by closing itsvalve i9, 4all thel water flowing through the main` line must passthrough the opening determined by the adjustment of its associatedfitting. Since this fitting is almost fully clam, it is apparent thatcirculation of iluid in the main line would be seriously interferedwith, and it would not be possible to emciently operate the precedingradiators I3 and il. However. this diillculty is automatically takencare of l eue to the renef feature of the mung. That is.

pressure will build up in the main line ahead of the tting associatedwith the radiator l5. and when this pressure reaches a predeterminedamount the fitting will automatically function as previously explained,and permit circulation of fluid through the system without passingthrough the radiatorwhich is shut oil'. -V

Although the iittings or 2l will in be adjusted in the manner describedabove for successively determining the flow throughv the radiatorsaccordingly as the temperature 0f the conditioning iluid is modiiied,the fittings are further advantageous in that they enable independentadJustment to compensate for the different resistances of the flow pathsthroughv the radiators and their connections.

l Such differences in the resistance to ow through the radiators mayarise from a number of causes. For'example, the supply and returnconnections for one radiator may be of a difierent length than thoseofanother radiator, or it may not be possible to utilize the theoreticallyproper size of pipe for the different radiators due Y to thestandardization of pipe sizes.

Thus it will appear that not only is there a possibility of the lastradiator of the system having its fitting adjustment substantiallyclosed, butother: radiators ahead of the last one might also undercertain conditions have a considerable closure. Irrespective of whichfittings may be substantially-closed, these ilttings will be relievedwhenever the pressure builds up ahead of them to a predetermined amount,as might happen when their associated radiators are shut oil. Amplesystem circulation will therefore always general 'pressure in itsassociated passage to a pressure a standardy size irrespective of theheating requirements of the'rooms in which the radiators are to beinstalled and without the necessity of the services of a skilledengineer to calculate various radiator sizes to meet the diiierentinstallation conditions; which provides a system in which the amount ofilow of heatinguid through the radiators may be successively graduatedtop-provide increased flow as thetemperature of the heated fluiddiminishes; which is so arranged as to provide for relief operationwhenever a radiator is shut of! and the associated baille or retarder isin such position as to prevent proper ilow in the main line toeiliciently operate the remaining radiators; and which provides animproved tting for connecting' the risers of the various radiators tothe main line. this tting embodying adiustable means for determining thecirculation through the radiators with which the respective ttings areassociated. i

Now, it is of course to be understood that although we have described indetail several embodiments of our invention, the invention is not to bethus limited, but only in so far. as deilned by thescope and spirit ofthe appended claims;

We claim as our invention:

1. A pipe tting comprising a' body haing an interior chamber, aplurality of ow passageways communicating with said chamber, adjustablevalve members for proportioning outward flow from the chamber throughtwof said passageways, one of said valve members being mounted forindependent movement under abnormal flow relieving position, and meansresiliently opposing said independent movement under normal pressureconditions.

2. A pipe ntting comprisinga body'having an interior chamber, aplurality of flow passageways communicating with said chamber,simultaneous- `A ly adjustable valve members for proportioning outwardflow from the chamber through two of said passageways, one of said valve-members being mounted for independent movement under abnormalflowpressure in its associated way to a pressure relieving position. andmeans resiliently opposing said independent movement under normalpressure conditions.

3. A pipe tting comprising a body having an interior chamber. aplurality of ilow passageways communicating with said chamber, rotatablyadjustable valve members for proportioning outward ilow from the chamberthrough at least two of said passageways, and means supporting one ofsaid valve members for,l tilting movement under abnormal flow pressurein its associated passageway to* a pressure relieving' position, and

means for normally retaining said one of the members against saidtilting movement.

4. A pipe iitting comprising a body having an interior chamber, an inletto said chamber. a pair ofy outlet passageways from said chamber, a pairof valves for controlling flow through the outlet passageways, andcommon means for simultaneously adjusting the positions of said valvesrelative to their associatedpassageways, one of said valves being arelief valve..

5. A pipe fitting comprising a body having an interior chamber, an inletto said chamber, a pair of outlet passageways from said chamber, a pairof valves for controlling flow through the outlet passageways, commonmeans for simultaneously adjusting the positions of said valves relativeto their associated passageways, one of said valves being a. reliefvalve, and a bleeder by-pass around said one of said valves.

6. In a pipe fitting, a body structure defining an interior chamberhaving a pair of spaced wall forming portions in parallel relation, eachof said portions having an opening therein defining an outlet from saidchamber, an inlet to said chamber, a shaft rotatably supported in thewall portions, a. first plate member carried by the shaft for faceengagement with the inner surface of one of the wall portions, a secondplate member carried by the shaft for face engagement with the outersurface of the other wall portion, said plate members being movable bythe shaft'into open and closed relation withthe respective openings,means mounting said second plate member for movement away from itsassociated wall portion, and means resiliently opposing said lattermovement.

7. In a pipe tting, a body structure dening an interior chamber, a pairof aligned spaced inserts on opposite sides of said chamber, each ofsaid inserts having an opening therein defining a flow outlet from thechamber, a flow inlet to the chamber, a shaft rotatably supported in theinserts and extending to the exterior of the body structure, valvemembers carried by said shaft for rotation therewith but axially movablethereon, one of said members being disposed adjacent the inner face ofone insert and the other adjacent the outer face of the other insert forrespective cooperation with the openings of the inserts to control theflow therethrough, and means resiliently urging the valve memberstowards their associated inserts.

8. In a pipe fitting. a body structure defining 'an interior chamber, apair of aligned spaced inserts on opposite sides of said chamber, eachnof said inserts having an opening therein defining a flow outlet fromthe chamber, a flow inlet to the chamber, a shaft rotatably supported inthe inserts and extending to the exterior of the body structure, valvemembers carried by said shaft for rotation therewith but axially movablethereon, one of said members being disposed adjacent the inner face ofone insert and the other adjacent the outer face of the other insert forrespective cooperation with the openings of the inserts to control theiiow therethrough, and springs respectively urging the valve memberstowards their associated inserts, the spring as'- sociated with saidother valve member being relatively the weaker.

9. In a pipe iltting, a body structure dening an interior chamber, apair of aligned spaced inserts on opposite sides of said chamber, eachof said inserts having an opening therein defining a flow outlet fromthe chamber, a flow inlet to the chamber, a removable plug in the bodystructure, a shaft rotatably supported in the inserts and plug andextending through the plug t0 the exterior of the body structure, valvemembers carried by said shaft for rotation therewith but axial movementthereon, one of said members being disposed adjacent the inner face ofone insert and the other adjacent the outer face of the vother insertfor respective cooperation with the openings of the inserts to controlthe flow therethrough, and means resiliently urging the valve memberstowards their associated in'- serts.

10. In a pipe iitting, a body structure deilning aninterior chambenapair of aligned. spaced inserts on opposite sides of said chamber, eachof said inserts having an opening therein defining a flow outlet fromthe chamber. a flow inlet to the chamber, a removable plug in the bodystructure, a shaft rotatably supported in the inserts and plug andextending through the plug to the exterior of the body structure, valvekmembers carried by said shaft for rotation therewith but axiallymovablethereof, one of said members being disposed adjacent the innerface of one insert and the other adjacent the outer face of the otherinsert for respective cooperation with the openings of the insertstocontrol the ilow therethrough, means resiliently urging the valvemembers towards their associated inserts, and means interconnecting theplug and inserts, whereby all of the parts may be removed with the plugfrom the body as a unit. y

11. A fitting comprising a hollowv body having an interior chamber, aplurality of ow passageways communicating with said chamber, adjustablevalve means for at least two of said passageways, and resilient meansopposing movement of said valve means when the flow pressure in saidchamber is below a predetermined value and permitting movement of' saidvalve means when the pressure exceeds said predetermined value forchanging the rate of flow through the passageways associated with saidvalve means.

12. A tting comprising a hollow body dening an interior chamber, aplurality of :Elow passageways communicating with said chamber,adjustable valve members in at least two of said passageways, and meanssensitive to pressure within said chamber for regulating said valvemembers and proportioning outward flow from the chamber through theY-passageways associl ated with said valve members.

13. A fitting comprising a hollow body having a plurality of ilowpassagewaysv from the interior thereof, an adjustable valve member ineach of at least two of said passageways, and means for normallymaintaining said valve members in a predetermined position relative totheir respective passageways, said valve members being responsive to adifference in pressure on opposite sides thereof whereby they are movedfrom said predetermined. position.

14. A fitting comprising a hollow body dening'openings therein ofgenerally the same shape as the cross-section of said shaft forreceiving the latter therethrough. said valvemexnbers being carried bysaid shaft for rotation therewith and for axial movement thereon, one ofsaid 5 valve members being disposed adjacent the inner face oi oneinsert and the other of said valve members being disposed adjacent theouter face of the other insert for cooperation with the openings in theinserts to control flow therel0\ HORACE s. Kama.

commun c+. NEWTON.

